Living with a children's author isn't as easy as it looks!

I love children (and also wet cement, but that’s another story for another time.). Mostly children are just my size. I love to taste them and snuggle up next to them (and also hump them, but that’s another story for another time.).

I see children at the library when they come to tell me stories at Read to a Pet Night.

Sometimes they taste like gum. And mac and cheese. A lot of them choose doggie books which I appreciate.

But I’m a good girl and listen politely, even when the book is about a C-A-T or FlyGuy or ToyStory.

Sometimes, I see children at the VA when they are visiting an old soldier that they know and love. I mean what’s not to love about an old soldier? They’re adorable. And more importantly, they think I’m adorable. #thingsthatmatter

Being adorable.

Mom writes stories for children. Long ago, she took a class and tried to write an adult story. It FELT horrible when she was doing it, it SOUNDED horrible when she read it to herself, and everybody she read it to said it WAS horrible. So yeah. I guess spending 35 years surrounded by children makes your head work in a certain way that’s tough to fight and impossible to change.

She is always careful about what she writes and how she writes it because just like when she was a teacher, she wants children to remember her words in a good way that will stick with them (like cement) and make them grow up into better humans.

Mom has not forgotten about her dark-of-night challenge.

She has started her story and is wondering if it will ever make it to the night. So far, no. But her character named Martin might take it that way eventually… I’m hoping so, for Mom’s sake. And hoping not for mine. And Martin’s.

Comments on: "Inspirational Quote of the Week" (53)

All the best for Martin ;o) I like the way of your mom to pick the words careful, it is the way to make stories unforgettable, because some words are like triggers… as soon as we hear them, the story is in our minds… It’s not easy to write stories for adults, but maybe the trick is to write a children story what adults love too… like that Hairy Potter….it is like a trigger too… always when the mama cuts my meat she remembers thes book… no idea why… but that’s weird right?

Oh Cupcake you are so loved by kids AND adults AND all of us!!! You make people smile and there’s always magic in a smile. I think your Mom makes a lot of people smile too with her stories……you two make the perfect couple! I bet Martin will be a HERO in your Mom’s story.

You sound like the kind of dog that would make an excellent teacher, Cupcake! You must have learnt that from your mum. Good luck with Martin. I’m hoping he finds something exciting in the dark!
Monty and Chicken 🐾

Cupcake, I can tell from your blog that your Mom is a great story teller. And about you trying to be dominant with the children (humping), no, no Cupcake, must not do that! (You don’t want to leave an impression on their legs, now, do you?)

That’s great that you visit with children and old vets too, and that your mom likes to write. My ghostwriter has been writing all her life too. She started with little poems, and then short stories. She wrote two novels and is hoping to get them published very soon. They are very different from The Daily Bone, though. (Personally, I think she should stick to writing about me!) Keep up the good work, Cupcake!

Germs! GAH! Mom hates when germs get on me. Plus dirt, mosquitoes, and mud, too. When we get home from therapy work, she practically sterilizes me! If she had a big enough pot, I’m pretty sure she’d boil me for 15 minutes.

I’m not afraid of the dark, Cupcake, I think because I have laser 😀 Granny and I would love to have a teacher like your mom, she has that furriendly, patient look that not all teachers have. Only some teachers have given Granny the cement she needed in life 😀 Pawkisses for a Happy Day 🙂 ❤

I’m happy Granny got the cement she needed from some of her teachers. That’s what matters. The other ones count out. We love kitty lasers. I wish I had them. Meanwhile, I will stay close to Mom so she can take care of me.

Cupcake, no one can ever dispute that you are adorable! 🙂 And truer words were never spoken than the impression words can leave… not just on children either. I love that your mom considers this as she writes, thinking about how her words might impact her young readers, and how to share a story that touches the dark of night in a way that will help kids, not hurt them. Those are the stories we all need! 🙂 ❤

You know it, S! Words have a lot of power when they’re spoken and even more when they’re written. Mom and I have learned a LOT from reading and talking. Plus TV shows, but that’s another story for another time.

Words are so important are’t they Cupcake? Martin and the Dark……We like your nightlights, our Mom is going to have to get new ones that are brighter since Mazie is getting older and her vision isn’t quite as good.

hello cupcake its dennis the vizsla dog hay i am not too fond of littel children they run arownd and moov erratikly and so i try to avoyd them!!! wel eksept for my littel kuzzin sadie but she is a frend to all animals!!! however my brother tucker the other vizsla luvd children and always tried to giv them kisses i think it is becuz children tend to be messy eeters and so they tayst like fud!!! ha ha ok bye

You know Cupcake, one of my human brothers is a middle school teacher and I know his words make a deep impression on his students through these years he has taught (20) as he gets letters and notes and visits and best of all, opportunities to write recommendations for some of them as they go to University. Several to WestPoint and Annapolis. It makes him feel like million dollars. As for my mom…he life long love of World History stems from 9th grade HS History teacher, Mrs. Kellar. She lectured actually. Each period was a lecture. We listened and took notes and we had the usual tests, exams etc. I have maintained a delight in lectures forever since. Mom had to be forced into American History when she finally went to University. It was a requirement. But, given the right instructor, she learned to be interested, wanted to learn and has maintained that interest. Mom said she learns best by lecture and tests.

Your human brother is changing lives and shaping the worlds of his students, KI. Mom also had a favorite teacher, like your mama did. Her name was Mrs. Nelson and she read stories to her class when Mom was in 5th grade. It made Mom want to be a teacher, and a writer, and when she taught her classes, she read to them every single day for 35 years, just like Mrs. Nelson did. It was her favorite part of the school day!

Pierre LOVES kids but Bentley isn’t too sure about some of them. We had some kids mess with him through the fence when he was out in the yard and now there are some trust issues. ☺ Of course, if they smelled like food that would help.